Prakasam, April 9 (RAHNUMA): In a remarkable transformation, villages like Murugummi, Marella and Thangella in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh have turned chronic water scarcity into sustainable water security through community-led rainwater conservation under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
Once plagued by erratic rainfall, falling groundwater levels and failing borewells, these villages mobilised residents through Gram Sabhas, awareness drives and field demonstrations. Farmers, women and youth collectively adopted water budgeting, crop planning and groundwater-sharing practices.
Following a ridge-to-valley approach, the communities created and revived water assets such as percolation tanks, farm ponds, trenches, rooftop harvesting systems and traditional ponds.
The impact has been significant. Around 5,900 people now benefit from improved groundwater access, while expanded irrigation has boosted agricultural productivity across hundreds of hectares. Increased water availability has also supported dairy activities and reduced distress migration.
Murugummi alone built 71 structures with a cumulative storage capacity of approximately 8.11 lakh cubic metres, providing protective irrigation to 264.5 hectares of agricultural land. As for Marella, development of 53 water conservation structures with a cumulative storage capacity of about 10.04 lakh cubic metres, enhancing agricultural sustainability across 220.5 hectares. Additionally, the renovation of community ponds and tanks contributed nearly 5.95 lakh cubic metres of additional storage capacity. With regard to Thangella, construction of 71 water conservation structures with a cumulative storage capacity of around 5.89 lakh cubic metres, providing irrigation support to 185.3 hectares. The revival of traditional water bodies further augmented storage capacity by approximately 3.98 lakh cubic metres.
The success has earned national recognition, with Murugummi winning the Second-Best Village Panchayat Award at the National Water Awards 2024, and Marella and Thangella also gaining top honours.
The initiative stands out as a replicable model of how community participation can drive long-term water security and rural resilience.
